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Wii Update 4.2 Tries (and Fails) To Block Homebrew

marcansoft writes "On September 28, Nintendo released a Wii update, titled 4.2. This update was targeted squarely at homebrew, performing sweeping changes throughout the system. It hardly achieved that goal, though, because just two days later a new version of the HackMii installer was released that brings full homebrew capabilities back to all Wii consoles, including unmodified consoles running 4.2. However, as part of their attempt to annoy homebrew users, Nintendo updated the lowest level updateable component of the Wii software stack: boot2 (part of the system bootloader chain). Homebrew users have been using BootMii to patch boot2 in order to gain low level system access and recovery functions (running Linux natively, fixing bricks, etc). The update hasn't hindered this, as users can simply reinstall BootMii after updating (it is compatible with the update). But there's a much bigger problem: Nintendo's boot2 update code is buggy." Read on for more details. "Boot2 had never been updated in retail consoles until now. During BootMii's development, its authors noticed that Nintendo's code had critical bugs and could sometimes permanently brick a console by writing incorrect or unchecked data to flash memory, so they decided to write their own, much safer flashing code. Now, Nintendo has pushed a boot2 update to all Wii users, and the results are what was expected: users are reporting bricks after installing 4.2 on unmodified consoles. Nintendo is currently attempting to censor posts and remove references to homebrew. It is worth noting that the new boot2 does not attempt to block anything or offer any additional protection or functionality. Its sole purpose is to simply replace current versions which may or may not have been modified with BootMii. Another interesting tidbit is that Nintendo is not believed to have any method to repair this kind of brick at a factory, short of replacing the entire motherboard."

7 of 520 comments (clear)

  1. Arbitrary code? by CubeRootOf · · Score: 0, Troll

    Why doesn't nintendo want arbitrary code to run on its console? Its not like it has an internet connection or anything....

    Oh wait it does... Well, its not like that internet connection could be abused through running arbitrary code....

    Oh no, absolutely not, none of these guys would EVER do that.

    Listen... if you want to run 'homebrew', just get a modded wiimote and use it with your computer, heck redirect the output to your tv if you want.

    http://www.wiimotemods.com/

    I think they LIKE it when you mod the wiimote.

  2. Re:Why is that legal? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Troll

    HOW TO FIX YOUR BRICKED WII AT MINIMAL COST
    (please note this only works if your wii is like-new in appearance)

    (1) Visit the site of the people responsible for bricking your wii - nintendo.com
    (2) Buy a wii using credit card
    (3) Get wii via mail and verify it's working properly
    (4) Tell them you wii is not working and will be returning for a refund; take your old wii that this megacorp bricked, and mail it back with tracking.
    (5) Wait.
    (6) If after one month you still haven't got a refund, file a credit card dispute on the sale. Provide tracking number as proof-of-return. They will reverse the charge.

    Congratulations!

    A megacorporation's attempt to screw a citizen (by turning his/her console into a paperweight) has been cock-blocked.

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    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  3. Re:Maximal ignorance exposed and explained. by Jaysyn · · Score: 0, Troll

    A shill & an idiot to boot!

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    There is a war going on for your mind.
  4. You lose, I win! by Jaysyn · · Score: 0, Troll

    And your a fuckwad AC who lacks the convictions to put a name to your trolling.

    Nintendo has stated that they do not & will not sell the Wii at a loss.  End of discussion.

    Kindly STFU & go back under your bridge.

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    There is a war going on for your mind.
  5. Re:Also why are they doing it? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Troll

    >>>Protectionism (sugar import tax) + Subsidies (US Corn)

    Sounds like protective socialism causing unintended consequences - like when Congress mandated banks *must* sell houses even if the people could not afford them, which led to the bubble and eventual crash. The free market's not perfect, but at least the bubble would be prevented if the market had been operating without Congressional interference (i.e. the banks would not have loaned to the poor).

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  6. Re:Also why are they doing it? by commodore64_love · · Score: 0, Troll

    >>>What congress did is mandate that banks must loan to minorities, but no where do regulations force them to loan to people who are high risk.

    Same difference in many cases. A loan to a poor minority IS a high risk loan, and if the banks dared to say "no" then thy';d find themselves called "racist" and under investigation.

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  7. Re:Why is that legal? by Alsee · · Score: 0, Troll

    Sorry for being a typo-nazi, but I think you mean Skiinett.

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    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.